A framework for evaluating regional-scale numerical photochemical modeling systems

This paper discusses the need for critically evaluating regional-scale (~200–2,000 km) three-dimensional numerical photochemical air quality modeling systems to establish a model’s credibility in simulating the spatio-temporal features embedded in the observations. Because of limitations of currently used approaches for evaluating regional air quality models, a framework for model evaluation is introduced here for determining the suitability of a modeling system for a given application, distinguishing the performance between different models through confidence-testing of model results, guiding model development and analyzing the impacts of regulatory policy options. The framework identifies operational, diagnostic, dynamic, and probabilistic types of model evaluation. Operational evaluation techniques include statistical and graphical analyses aimed at determining whether model estimates are in agreement with the observations in an overall sense. Diagnostic evaluation focuses on process-oriented analyses to determine whether the individual processes and components of the model system are working correctly, both independently and in combination. Dynamic evaluation assesses the ability of the air quality model to simulate changes in air quality stemming from changes in source emissions and/or meteorology, the principal forces that drive the air quality model. Probabilistic evaluation attempts to assess the confidence that can be placed in model predictions using techniques such as ensemble modeling and Bayesian model averaging. The advantages of these types of model evaluation approaches are discussed in this paper.     

Site rent,air quality,and the demand for amenities

There has been considerable debate as to the information contained in the coefficients of a cross-sectional regression of site rent on air quality. Much of the confusion surrounding the analysis of the relationships (a) between air quality changes and property value changes, (b) between property value changes and benefits derived from quality changes, and (c) between the estimated cross-sectional coefficients and all of the above, can be cleared up by a discussion of the meaning of the hedonic equation. In that context, the implications for demand analysis are clarified.     

General equilibrium benefits for environmental improvements: projected ozone reductions under EPA's Prospective Analysis for the Los Angeles air basin

This research demonstrates how locational equilibrium models can be used for benefit measurement with the detail required to match EPA's benefit analysis for the first Prospective Analysis. Using the projected changes in ozone concentrations for 2000 and 2010 together with the Sieg et al. (Int. Econ. Rev., forthcoming) estimates for household preferences for housing, education, and air quality, this paper measures general equilibrium willingness to pay for the policy scenarios developed for the Prospective study as they relate to households in the Los Angeles area. Benefits are evaluated taking account (at the household level) of initial air quality conditions, relocation based on changes in ozone, and price changes. The framework generalizes the partial equilibrium/general equilibrium comparisons available with conventional computable general equilibrium and property capitalization models. Estimated general equilibrium gains from the policy range from $33 to $2400 annually at a household level (in 1990 dollars).     

大气混杂污染物诱导8—羟基脱氧鸟苷的形成及机理

以DNA加合物8－羟基脱氧鸟苷（8－OHdG)作为DNA氧化损伤的生物学标志物，用高压液相色谱－电化学检测（HPLC－EC）法对大气混杂污染物染毒后的DNA中8－OHdG进行定量检测，通过气质联用法（GC－MS）进行有机成分分析和原子吸收法（AAS）对其进行无机元素分析，并从大混杂污染物化学组成成分的角度推理并证实了其造成DNA损伤的分子机理。     

Happiness in the air: How does a dirty sky affect mental health and subjective well-being?

Previous studies evaluating the welfare cost of air pollution have not paid much attention to its potential effect on mental health and subjective well-being (SWB). This paper attempts to fill the gap by investigating the impact of air pollution on several key dimensions, including mental health status, depressive symptoms, moment-to-moment happiness, and evaluative happiness. We match a nationwide longitudinal survey in China with local air quality and rich weather conditions according to the exact time and place of survey. By making use of variations in exposure to air pollution for the same individuals over time, we show that air pollution reduces hedonic happiness and increases the rate of depressive symptoms, while life satisfaction has little to do with the immediate air quality. Our results shed light on air pollution as an important contributor to the Easterlin paradox that economic growth may not bring more happiness.     

北京东南郊大气中多环芳烃的相分配及其致癌毒性表征

采用索氏提取法提取2005年3月至2006年1月间北京市东南郊3个采样点大气总悬浮颗粒物(TSP)样品和气相样品中的多环芳烃(PAHs),利用GC/MS分析其质量浓度,对PAHs在颗粒相和气相间的分配行为进行研究。结果表明,2环组分在气相PAHs中占优势地位,全年平均在95%左右;4环组分在颗粒相PAHs中全年平均占56%左右;5~6环组分几乎全部分布在颗粒相中。引入苯并[a]芘等当量毒性因子(TEFs),探讨致癌毒性组分在2相间的分配行为,研究发现低毒高质量浓度的低环组分与高毒低质量浓度的高环组分对致癌性贡献相当;利用苯并[a]芘等效质量浓度与16种PAHs组分质量浓度进行多元线性回归,得到的回归方程用于粗略计算大气中PAHs致癌性组分的等效质量浓度;在分析PAHs分配行为的季节变化规律基础上,结合气象参数和空气污染指数分析PAHs在大气气相和颗粒相中分配系数的影响因素,并提出了分配系数与气象参数和API指数的回归方程,并利用回归方程来计算PAHs组分在大气中的分配系数。     

Single-column model and large eddy simulation of the evening transition in the planetary boundary layer

In the present study, the well-known case of day 33 of the Wangara experiment is resimulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in an idealized single-column mode to assess the performance of a frequently used planetary boundary layer (PBL) scheme, the Yonsei University PBL scheme. These results are compared with two large eddy simulations for the same case study imposing different surface fluxes: one using previous surface fluxes calculated for the Wangara experiment and a second one using output from the WRF model. Finally, an alternative set of eddy diffusivity equations was tested to represent the transition characteristics of a sunset period, which led to a gradual decrease of the eddy diffusivity, and replaces the instantaneous collapse of traditional diagnostics for eddy diffusivities. More appreciable changes were observed in air temperature and wind speed (up to 0.5 K, and 0.6 m s^?1, respectively), whereas the changes in specific humidity were modest (up to 0.003 g kg^?1). Although the representation of the convective decay in the standard parameterization did not show noticeable improvements in the simulation of state variables for the selected Wangara case study day, small changes in the eddy diffusivity over consecutive hours throughout the night can impact the simulation of distribution of trace gases in air quality models. So, this work points out the relevance of simulating the turbulent decay during sunset, which could help air quality forecast models to better represent the distribution of pollutants storage in the residual layer during the entire night.     

Air pollution as a cause of sleeplessness: Social media evidence from a panel of Chinese cities

We provide first evidence of a link from daily air pollution exposure to sleep loss in a panel of Chinese cities. We develop a social media-based, city-level metric for sleeplessness, and bolster causal claims by instrumenting for pollution with plausibly exogenous variations in wind patterns. Estimates of effect sizes are substantial and robust. In our preferred specification a one standard deviation increase in AQI causes an 11.6% increase in sleeplessness, and for PM_2.5 is 12.8%. The results sustain qualitatively under OLS estimation but are attenuated. The analysis provides a previously unaccounted for benefit of more stringent air quality regulation. It also offers a candidate mechanism in support of recent research that links daily air quality to diminished workplace productivity, cognitive performance, school absence, traffic accidents, and other detrimental outcomes.     

A cost-effectiveness analysis of alternative air quality control strategies

A number of linear programming models purport to minimize the costs of emission control to achieve ambient air quality standards. Many of the simulations incorporate the simplifying assumption that improvements in ambient air quality are proportional to reductions in regional emissions. This approach minimizes the cost of mass emission reduction, but not the cost to achieve a prescribed ambient air quality. The costs of this emissions least-cost strategy are compared to an ambient least-cost strategy which does achieve prescribed ambient air quality at minimum cost. The cost saving achieved by this strategy relative to the emissions least-cost strategy is as much as 50670. In addition, both are compared to a strategy typical of those currently used by the states, which is found to be as much as ten times as expensive as the ambient least-cost strategy.     

Dissolution behavior of metals from particulate matter emissions

Exposure to air particulate matter (PM) is linked to numerous health effects. In order to improve the understanding of the role of its metallic components, their solubility was examined by using serial short-contact dissolutions totalling 1?h and additional sequential contact periods of 1, 4, and 8 days. The dissolution experiments were performed in solutions containing the main biological electrolytes. ICPMS determinations were used to quantify the dissolved metals. The total compositions were determined after closed vessel microwave digestion. Large variations in the rate and completeness of the dissolutions were observed. Fast and extensive dissolutions within the short-contact time (e.g., Zn, Cd) as well as slow dissolutions persisting during the last contact period (e.g., Ni, Cu, Sb, Pb) were found for smelting emissions. The multi-element determinations also made it possible to identify relationships between dissolution of different metals and define gradual composition changes of residual PM. When comparing with dissolutions performed in de-ionized water, similar major fractions were observed at short-contact time for minor components of smelting or combustion emissions (e.g., V, Ni, Cd), suggesting a preponderance of easily available forms at the surface of the relatively inert particle cores. The use of these time sequential methods may help in (1) modeling metal partitioning in biological media and (2) investigating the causes of adverse effects attributed to air PM.     

On estimating air pollution control benefits from land value studies

This paper deals with some unresolved issues in interpreting empirical property value/air pollution studies. A model is developed in which it is shown that in general regressions of property values on pollution variables do not identify the demand curve for clean air. However since the first derivative of the observed rent function is a locus of household equilibrium marginal willingnesses to pay, aggregate benefits can be calculated directly. The possibilities for obtaining approximate measures of aggregate benefits for nonmarginal changes in air quality are also discussed.     

沙尘与大雾天气对京津石空气质量影响

采用北京、天津、石家庄2001-2010年沙尘与大雾天气的统计数据以及城市空气污染指数（API）,分析北京、天津、石家庄3市空气污染指数变化特征及大雾和沙尘天气下北京、天津、石家庄3市空气质量情况,进而得出沙尘大雾天气对京津石空气质量的影响。结果表明：2001-2010年间北京、天津、石家庄3市API总体呈下降趋势,天津、石家庄相对于北京空气质量改善较为明显,且空气质量夏季〉秋季〉春冬季。沙尘天气条件下,北京、天津、石家庄3市API平均值分别为255、179和167,空气质量出现良的比率天津为24%,北京、石家庄为10%左右,出现重污染的比率北京高达50%以上,天津和石家庄均在20%左右;3市沙尘天气高频次均出现在3-5月份,但北京沙尘天气发生次数远大于天津和石家庄。大雾天气条件下,北京、天津、石家庄3市API平均值为185、130和167,空气质量出现优或良的比率：天津〉石家庄〉北京,北京和石家庄出现重污染的比率均接近30%,天津不到10%,所以大雾天气对3市空气质量影响较小,大雾天气频次的变化波动并未对该地区空气质量的年际变化造成显著影响,3市高频次大雾天气集中在10-12月份,对该时段内空气污染呈现加重趋势有一定的贡献。所以沙尘和大雾天气均对北京、天津和石家庄空气质量存在不利影响,其中对北京影响最为严重,对天津影响最轻。整体上沙尘对3市的空气质量影响较大,大雾天气影响较小。     

基于PLS1的哈尔滨市PM2.5与空气污染物相关性分析

以往对PM2.5的研究多集中在气象因子或单一空气污染物对PM2.5质量浓度变化的影响,未考虑多种空气污染物对PM2.5质量浓度的协同作用。通过哈尔滨市环保局发布的2014年1月份（共31 d）市区内主要空气污染物SO2、NO2、PM10、CO、O3、PM2.5的质量浓度数据,运用相关性分析、PLS1和通径分析方法,研究哈尔滨市区内主要空气污染物对PM2.5质量浓度变化的直接影响、通过其他空气污染物的间接影响及污染物之间的协同作用。结果表明,SO2、NO2、PM10、CO 与 PM2.5质量浓度显著性相关,O3与 PM2.5质量浓度相关性不显著,SO2、NO2、PM10、CO 之间存在严重的复相关性。依据相关性分析结果,建立了SO2、NO2、PM10、CO对PM2.5质量浓度的PSL1模型,模型的拟合优度r2为0.852,模型拟合良好。对所建立的模型进行通径分析,结果显示,SO2、NO2、PM10、CO对PM2.5质量浓度变化的直接作用分别为0.005、-0.142、-0.140、1.191,CO对PM2.5质量浓度变化的直接影响作用最大。SO2、NO2、PM10通过CO对PM2.5质量浓度变化的间接作用分别为0.706、1.011、1.118均大于它们对PM2.5质量浓度变化的直接作用。SO2、NO2、PM10、CO对PM2.5质量浓度变化的总决定系数为85.9%。CO是主要空气污染物中影响PM2.5质量浓度变化的主要因素,降低冬季煤炭供暖期CO的排放量,有利于提高空气环境质量,降低对人体的健康危害。     

A proposed methodology for assessing the quality of wildlife habitat

Measurement of the quality and quantity of wildlife habitat is a necessity in planning and analyzing water resource projects. A methodology that provides a means of examining the following major components of habitat quality is proposed: (1) the quantity of land uses, (2) the degree of interspersion of land use, aand (3) the stage of land management and vegetative types. The model can be calibrated to a specific region by experienced wildlife biologists and applied by field technicians using aerial photographs and field evaluation of randomly located points. Biologists familiar with a region develop transformation curves relating variables that represent the above three major components to standardizing factors that range from 0 to 1; these transformation curves reflect the sensitivity of wildlife populations to determinants of habitat quality. The methodology also provides the means for biologists to weigh each components as to its relative importance to the wildlife group or species. A weighted geometric mean of the components provides an indication of the overall quality of the habitat. Changes in the habitat components that may occur because of alternative project actions can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the alternatives. The change in the index of habitat quality will indicate the need for mitigation in water resource projects. The system then can be used to identify areas for mitigation and the effects of mitigating measures.     

Biomass fuel use,burning technique and reasons for the denial of improved cooking stoves by Forest User Groups of Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary,Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the structural linkages of product quality, corporate image, store image, and price on customer satisfaction and loyalty towards green products usage in Malaysia. The research used structural equation modelling technique via AMOS 21.0 computer program for data analysis across a sample of 200 university students who applies a green lifestyle, such as purchasing green products which are referring to only retail goods, using recyclable products, and ozone-free products. Empirical analysis divulged that product quality followed by corporate image, store image, and product price jointly affected customer satisfaction in using green products. They are highly concerned that the green store provides a variety of good quality products with good value for money. Marketers should aggressively promote the identification of green products and overcome the problem of just noticeable difference between green product and non-green product among consumers for business sustainability. Empirical findings provide valuable insights to put forth in outlining effective marketing strategies that widen the marketers’ understanding of consumer behaviour in using green products with regard to their satisfaction and loyalty levels from the perspective of product quality, corporate image, store image, and product prices in Malaysia markets.     

Pah characteristics in ambient air within a steel industrial complex

Ambient air samples at ten sites in an iron and steel industrial complex were collected from June to December for analyzing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Sixteen species of PAH components in air samples were identified. The results indicate that both gaseous phase and particle‐bound PAHs at the top of the cokemaking plants are unusually high. The profiles of particle‐bound PAHs indicate that the predominant species at the top of, the coke oven batteries are those of high molecular weight components. The major components of particle‐bound PAHs at sampling sites near the fenceline, however, include the medium molecular weight components. The PAH profiles of air samples within the industrial complex show a strong similarity to those of cokemaking plant samples. The concentrations and the specific content of benzo(a)pyrene in the iron and steel industrial complex are higher than those values measured in urban area, petrochemical industry park, and open‐air burning area.     

Stakeholder participation in management of invasive vertebrates

Stakeholders are increasingly involved in species conservation. We sought to understand what features of a participatory conservation program are associated with its ecological and social outcomes. We conducted a case study of the management of invasive vertebrates in Australia. Invasive vertebrates are a substantial threat to Australia's native species, and stakeholder participation in their management is often necessary for their control. First, we identified potential influences on the ecological and social outcomes of species conservation programs from the literature. We used this information to devise an interview questionnaire, which we administered to managers of 34 participatory invasive-vertebrate programs. Effects of invasive species were related to program initiator (agency or citizen), reasons for use of a participatory approach, and stakeholder composition. Program initiator was also related to the participation methods used, level of governance (i.e., governed by an agency or citizens), changes in stakeholder interactions, and changes in abundance of invasive species. Ecological and social outcomes were related to changes in abundance of invasive species and stakeholder satisfaction. We identified relations between changes in the number of participants, stakeholder satisfaction, and occurrence of conflict. Potential ways to achieve ecological and social goals include provision of governmental support (e.g., funding) to stakeholders and minimization of gaps in representation of stakeholder groups or individuals to, for example, increase conflict mitigation. Our findings provide guidance for increasing the probability of achieving ecological and social objectives in management of invasive vertebrates and may be applicable to other participatory conservation programs.     

Epiphytische Flechten im Wandel von Immissionen und Klima • Ergebnisse einer Vergleichskartierung 1989/2007 in Nordwestdeutschland

Epiphytic lichens as indicators for changes in air pollution and climate. Results of a comparative survey 1989/2007 in north-west Germany Background, aim, and scope Lichens growing on tree bark (epiphytic lichens) respond very sensitively to environmental effects such as chemical substances and air temperature. Therefore, they are used as biomonitors for atmospheric pollution in environmental assessments. Based on a survey of epiphytic lichens in 1989, a repetition was performed in an intensively-used agricultural area of north-west Germany in 2007. The objective of this study was to assess possible changes in air pollution and climate. Materials and methods The study is based on a comparative inventory of epiphytic lichens, growing on 335 trees at 45 monitoring sites. A simplified half quantitative survey technique of the first survey was used. Results Indeed, major changes to the epiphytic lichen flora were found. Overall, nearly all monitoring points showed an increase in the level of lichen species. A sharp decrease in acidophileous species and a sharp increase in basidophileous and nitrophileous species were detected. In addition, an increase in thermophileous species which are mainly inhabitants of southern European countries was observed, combined with decreases in boreo-montanic species. Discussion These trends correspond with supra-regional observations. They are primarily attributed to changes in air pollution involving a decrease in SO₂ and an increase in NH₃ concentrations. Clear effects from climate change are evident as well. Conclusions Changes to epiphytic lichens over a 18-year period could be demonstrated using a relatively low-cost investigation. They are relevant for assessing the changing environmental situation, which is of great importance for other organism groups and ecosystems. Recommendations and perspectives Using standardized techniques epiphytic lichens are suitable bioindicators for obtaining different types of information about the air pollution in urban areas and in intensively-used agricultural regions. Furthermore they are obviously good indicators of temperature changes in their environment. More research is needed about the suitability of epiphytic lichens for a biomonitoring of climate changes.     

Bewertung der Luftqualität in Rheinland-Pflaz mittels verschiedener Luftqualitätsindizes

Goal and Scope

The constant increase of traffic and the rising energy and material consumption both in industry and trade as well as in private households mean a constant challenge to environmental protection and to the air pollution control. With the commencement of the Federal ambient pollution control act in April 1974, the legal basis for the monitoring of air pollution was created. In future, the limit values laid down in the Council Directive 1999/30/EG, 2000/69/EG and 96/62/EG, will be valid. In town and regional planning there is a great demand for a simple index to evaluate the air quality. From the available data of PM₁₀, NO₂, O₃, CO, SO₂, trends of the air quality will be derived.

Methods

The indices LQI and TLQ suggested by Mayer et al. (2002) were calculated for selected stations of the air pollution monitoring network (ZIMEN) in Rhineland-Palatine. All analysis are based on hourly recorded value, Mean values and frequency distributions are used for the interpretation. Furthermore, the characteristics and trends of the indices under different weather conditions were examined and discussed.

Results

The examination figures out that the air pollutions indices at all stations show similar patterns in the period between January 2001 and December 2002. Neither the LQI, nor the TLQ shows an annual variation. Existing variations are mainly controlled by the general weather situation and the air temperature. High values of the indices appear at extremely high or low mean daily air temperature. The absolute value of the air pollution index is determined by local pollution factors.

Outlook and Recommendations

Both indices are well suitable to evaluate the air quality and to assess the effects of state-aided measures for air pollutant control. Therefore, the indices TLQ and LQI should be published as an additional information in the world wide web.     

Hedonic housing prices and the demand for clean air

This paper investigates the methodological problems associated with the use of housing market data to measure the willingness to pay for clean air. With the use of a hedonic housing price model and data for the Boston metropolitan area, quantitative estimates of the willingness to pay for air quality improvements are generated. Marginal air pollution damages (as revealed in the housing market) are found to increase with the level of air pollution and with household income. The results are relatively sensitive to the specification of the hedonic housing price equation, but insensitive to the specification of the air quality demand equation.